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A native Californian, Gerald Albright grew up in South
Central Los Angeles. After high school, he attended the University of
Redlands where he received a B.S. degree in Business Management, minoring
in Music.
Immediately after college, Albright began to master his talent by working
extensively in the studio with such artists as Patrice Rushen, Anita
Baker, Ray Parker, Jr., Lola Folana, Atlantic Starr, The Winans, Olivia
Newton-John, The Temptations, and Maurice White. He also toured with Les
McCann, Rodney Franklin, Jeff Lorber, Teena Marie, Marlene Shaw, Debra and
Eloise Laws, Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston, Phil Collins, and many others.
In addition to numerous appearances at clubs and jazz festivals, Albright
had also been a part of the popular Jazz Explosion tours, which saw him
teaming up with contemporary jazz stars like Will Downing, Jonathan
Butler, Hugh Masekela, Chaka Khan, and Rachelle Ferrell, to name a few.
Gerald Albright has also branched out as a TV Star to his already
substantial resume. The saxman has appeared on numerous shows, such as “A
Different World,” “Melrose Place,” Channels 2 and 5 “Morning News Shows,”
“BET” jazz segments as well as piloting a show in Las Vegas with
“Designing Women” star Meshach Taylor.
Albright's contemporary and straight-ahead collections have established
the Los Angeles-based musician as one of the most prominent artists.
Indeed, Albright was one of the ten featured saxophonists who performed at
President Clinton’s inauguration. He was also featured at the Presidential
Summit, as well as several private functions for the President.
Albright had sold over 1,000,000 albums in the U.S. alone. His
self-produced music features him on bass guitar, keyboards, flutes, drum
programming, and background vocals. Gerald has definitely earned the
reputation as the “musician’s musician.”
Besides music, Albright is also a family man. He is married to his junior
high school sweetheart, Glynis, and has two children, Selina and Brandon.
He believes in giving back to the community. He has participated in
numerous fund-raisers for the NAACP, The American Cancer Society, and The
Institute for Black Parenting. As a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,
he constantly donates his talents to raise funds to promote academic
excellence nationwide.
Whether he is playing contemporary or straight-ahead jazz, Albright stands
in a class all by himself. He is known for his swiftness on stage, his
unique round sound which is percussive yet soulful. He has the ability to
surprise the audience with something out of the ordinary. Albright gives
his audience what they come for - a great show!
Born in Los Angeles, Albright began piano lessons at an early age, even
though he professed no great interest in the instrument. His love of music
picked up considerably when he was given a saxophone that belonged to his
piano teacher. It was further reinforced when he attended Locke High
School, a breeding ground for many young West Coast musicians, where his
peers at the time included Patrice Rushen and Ndugu.
Already a polished saxophonist by the time he enrolled at the University
of Redlands, Albright suddenly switched to bass guitar after he saw Louis
Johnson in concert A few months after graduating from college, Gerald
joined Patrice Rushen, who was in the process of forming her own band, in
which he played the saxophone. Later, when the bass player left in the
middle of a tour, Albright replaced him and finished the tour on bass
guitar. From then on, he often performed on both instruments.
Soon, Albright began to make a name for himself as a sideman of great
insight and musicianship, playing on albums by a wide variety of artists
-- including Anita Baker, Ray Parker, Lola Folana, Atlantic Starr, Olivia
Newton-John, the Temptations and Maurice White. He also toured extensively
with Les McCann, Rodney Franklin, Jeff Lorber, Teena Marie, the Winans,
Marlena Shaw, Debra and Eloise Laws, Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston, Phil
Collins, and many others.
With 9 CD’s under his belt and one collaboration CD, Albright has
definitely gained his place in the music world as a player, songwriter and
producer.
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